Do you want to know the secret behind your competitors’ top rankings? Knowing the keywords your competitors use can help you understand how they attract traffic to their websites.
But where do you start?
In this guide, we’ll show you step-by-step how to find competitors keywords using powerful SEO tools (free and paid) and proven techniques.
You’ll also learn how to use those keywords to improve your own SEO strategy.
Competitor keyword research is the secret weapon you need to gain an edge in your niche.
So, if you are struggling to make your website stand out in a sea of competitors, this blog post is worth reading.
Ready to unlock your potential and conquer the search engine results pages (SERPs)? Let’s get started!
Key Takeaways
- Competitor keyword research is essential for SEO success and can be achieved through various competitor analysis tools.
- Identifying top competitors, analyzing their organic & paid keywords, leveraging SEO tools are key steps in the process.
- Developing an effective strategy requires prioritizing target keywords, creating optimized content & regularly monitoring/adjusting the strategy. Expanding beyond competitors to explore industry forums and customer feedback helps uncover valuable insights.
How To Find Your Competitors’ Keywords List?
Why Competitor Keyword Research Is Important?
Understanding the keywords your competitors use in their paid and organic search campaigns helps you:
- Improve Your SEO Strategy: By knowing which keywords work for others, you can adjust your own strategy to rank higher in search results.
- Find New Opportunities: Discover keywords you might not have thought of.
- Identify High-Performing Keywords: Learn what your target audience is searching for. Discovering which terms bring the most traffic to your competitors can guide you in choosing the best keywords for your site.
- Outshine Competitors: Seeing where your competitors succeed allows you to spot areas where you can do even better. It helps you outrank competitors by targeting their high-performing keywords.
By researching competitor keywords, you can gain a competitive advantage in a crowded market.
Example: If your competitor ranks for “best running shoes,” you can create a better guide or add unique content to beat them.
How to Find Competitors for Keyword Analysis?
Before finding competitors’ keywords, you need to identify who your competitors are. Here’ how you can identify your top competitors:
Search for your Target Keywords
Open Google and type in the keywords you want to rank for. The websites appearing on the first page are your main competitors.
Check Similar Websites in Your Niche
Look for websites that offer the same products, services, or content as yours. Even if they don’t rank high for your keywords, they might still compete with you.
Use SEO Tools
SEO tools like Semrush, Ahrefs, or SE Ranking can show you a list of websites that compete with yours. Simply enter your domain, and the tool will generate a competitor list.
Identifying your top competitors ensures that your SEO strategy targets the most relevant keywords for your niche, maximizing your chances of success.
Best Tools for Finding Competitors’ Keywords
Here are some tools you can use to find competitors’ keywords:
Free Tools
- Google Search: Look at the meta titles and descriptions of top-ranking pages for clues about their target keywords.
- Ubersuggest: Enter a competitor’s domain to see their top-ranking keywords.
- Keyword Surfer: A browser extension that shows keyword data directly in Google search results.
Paid Tools
- SE Ranking: An affordable option with excellent competitor keyword analysis.
- Semrush: Offers detailed competitor keyword data, including organic keywords and traffic.
- Ahrefs: Lets you see which keywords a competitor ranks for and their traffic potential.
- SpyFu: Great for finding competitors’ organic and paid keywords.
Each tool has unique features, so pick the one that suits your budget and needs.
Top 5 Free Keyword Research Tools in 2025
Step-by-Step Guide on How To Find Competitors Keywords
Competitor keyword research involves leveraging Google Search, Semrush, and various SEO tools to obtain and evaluate data on competitor’s keywords. This process, also known as competitor keyword analysis, helps businesses identify opportunities for improvement in their own keyword strategies.
Step 1: Identify Your Competitors
Use the methods mentioned earlier to find competitors in your niche. The best way to find your competitors is Google Search. Simply, type your keywords and analyze the different websites that appear on SERPs. The number of websites that appear on SERPs are your competitors.
Step 2: Analyze Their Domain
Once you have a list of your competitors, analyze each competitor’s domain one by one. Follow these steps to perform a domain analysis and uncover the keywords your competitors are ranking for.
- Use a tool like SE Ranking or Ahrefs.
- Enter the competitor’s domain into the search bar.
- Check their “Top Organic Keywords” report to see which keywords drive traffic to their site.
Step 3: Extract Relevant Keywords
You’ll find several keywords, but it’s important to choose them carefully. Competitors may target other niches alongside yours, so focus only on the keywords that align with your niche and audience.
Always remember the following tips while making a list of keywords. You should choose:
- Keywords with high search volume.
- Keywords with low competition.
- Long-tail keywords (phrases with 3 or more words).
Step 4: Categorize Keywords
Once you’ve compiled your list of keywords, organize them into groups based on similarity. Identify how many keywords you can use to create individual blog posts. Writing multiple posts covering different aspects of a topic and interlinking them helps build topical authority, making your website a go-to resource for that subject.
Group keywords into categories based on their purpose:
- Informational: For blog posts or guides. These keywords contain words such as what, how, tutorial, etc.
- Transactional: For product or service pages. These keywords contain words such as best, top, discount, pricing, review, etc.
- Navigational: For specific searches related to your brand. These keywords contain the brand name of the company you are writing the blog post.
How to Use Competitors’ Keywords to Improve Your SEO
Examining competitors’ organic and paid keywords can offer valuable insights into their marketing strategies and potential opportunities for your own campaigns.
- Create Better Content: Use competitor keywords to write blog posts or pages that are more detailed, helpful, and engaging.
- Optimizing Existing Content: Update old pages with these keywords to make them more relevant.
- Fill Content Gaps: If your competitors rank for topics you haven’t covered, write about them.
Example: If your competitor ranks for “vegan meal plans,” create your own meal plan with additional recipes and tips.
Tips to Beat Competitors Using Their Keywords
To gain an edge over your competitors, simply identifying their keywords isn’t enough—you need a smart strategy to use those keywords effectively. Here are some actionable tips to outshine your competition:
1. Create Better Content
Your competitors’ keywords give insight into what’s working for them. Use this as an opportunity to create content that is more detailed, engaging, and valuable. For example:
- Add unique data, visuals, or real-life examples.
- Answer questions your competitors didn’t address.
- Format your content for better readability.
2. Target Long-Tail Keywords
Competitors often overlook long-tail keywords, which are easier to rank for and attract more specific audiences. Find related long-tail variations of their keywords and focus on these for faster results.
3. Optimize for Search Intent
Understand the search intent behind each keyword (informational, transactional, or navigational). Tailor your content to meet the exact needs of the audience searching for that keyword.
4. Focus on Low-Competition Keywords
While analyzing your competitors’ keywords, prioritize the ones with lower competition. These keywords offer opportunities to rank higher with less effort.
5. Use Keywords Across Channels
Don’t limit competitor keywords to blog posts. Use them in:
- Social media content.
- Paid ad campaigns.
- YouTube videos and descriptions.
This multi-channel approach maximizes keyword effectiveness.
6. Build a Strong Internal Linking Strategy
Link your content strategically to boost the authority of pages targeting competitor keywords. Strong internal linking helps search engines understand your site structure, improving rankings.
7. Enhance User Experience
Search engines reward websites that provide a seamless user experience. To outperform competitors:
- Optimize your website for fast loading times.
- Ensure mobile-friendliness.
- Use intuitive navigation and visually appealing layouts.
A better user experience keeps visitors on your site longer, reducing bounce rates and boosting rankings.
8. Leverage E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authority, Trustworthiness)
Build credibility by showcasing E-E-A-T in your content:
- Share personal experiences or case studies.
- Highlight your expertise with in-depth, well-researched articles.
- Establish authority by earning backlinks from reputable sources.
- Build trust with accurate, transparent, and up-to-date information.
Search engines value these factors, helping your site stand out.
9. Leverage Local SEO
If applicable, optimize competitor keywords for local search by adding location-specific terms. This is particularly useful for businesses targeting a local audience.
10. Keep Monitoring Competitors
Competitor strategies evolve, so regularly monitor their keyword usage and content updates. Tools like SE Ranking or Semrush can help you stay one step ahead.
By using these tips, you can turn your competitors’ keyword strategies into opportunities to establish authority, attract more traffic, and dominate your niche.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Competitor Keyword Research
Competitor keyword research is a powerful strategy, but if not done correctly, it can lead to wasted efforts and missed opportunities. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when analyzing your competitors’ keywords:
1. Copying Competitors’ Keywords Without Analysis
Blindly copying keywords your competitors are using can be a major pitfall. Your business, audience, and goals might differ from theirs. Always evaluate whether those keywords align with your niche and target audience before incorporating them into your strategy.
2. Ignoring Long-Tail Keywords
Focusing only on high-traffic keywords while neglecting long-tail ones is a missed opportunity. Long-tail keywords are often less competitive and bring in highly targeted traffic, which can improve conversions and engagement.
3. Overlooking Search Intent
Not understanding the search intent behind a keyword can lead to creating irrelevant content. Ensure you match the content type to the intent—whether informational, navigational, or transactional—to provide value to your audience.
4. Focusing Only on High-Volume Keywords
High search volume is tempting, but these keywords often have fierce competition. Targeting a mix of high, medium, and low-competition keywords helps you achieve quicker wins while working toward long-term goals.
5. Using Outdated Data
SEO is ever-changing, and keyword trends can shift quickly. Relying on outdated data from your research tools may result in targeting keywords that no longer perform well. Always use updated reports and monitor changes regularly.
6. Not Considering Competitor Weaknesses
While researching competitors, many people only focus on their strengths. Neglecting to identify their weaknesses—such as gaps in their content or under-optimized pages—can mean missing valuable opportunities to outperform them.
7. Ignoring Audience Relevance
Not all of your competitor’s keywords will suit your audience. Targeting keywords that don’t match your audience’s needs can result in low engagement and high bounce rates. Always focus on terms that resonate with your specific audience.
8. Overloading Content with Keywords
Keyword stuffing in an attempt to rank higher can backfire. Search engines penalize over-optimized content, and it diminishes readability for users. Use keywords naturally within high-quality, engaging content.
9. Neglecting SERP Analysis
Keyword research isn’t complete without analyzing the search engine results pages (SERPs). Ignoring the type of content already ranking for your target keywords might lead you to create irrelevant or non-competitive content.
10. Skipping Competitor Keyword Tracking
Failing to monitor competitors’ ongoing keyword strategies is a missed opportunity. Regularly track their updates to stay informed about new trends and adapt your strategy accordingly.
11. Relying Solely on Tools
Keyword research tools are helpful but not infallible. Over-reliance on tools without cross-verifying with manual checks or practical insights can lead to suboptimal results. Combine tool-based research with hands-on analysis for the best outcome.
12. Neglecting Mobile and Local Search
With the rise of mobile and local searches, ignoring these factors can hurt your strategy. Ensure the keywords you target are optimized for mobile users and local SEO if your audience includes a local demographic.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can ensure your competitor’s keyword research is effective, strategic, and aligned with your business goals. Proper planning and execution can give you a significant edge over the competition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Competitor Keyword Research?
Competitor keyword analysis is discovering the keywords your competitors are targeting to improve rankings and generate more online traffic. Tools such as Semrush, Ahrefs, and SE Ranking can help identify these competitor keywords so you can create content that outranks them in search results.
How do you do competitor keyword analysis for free?
You can do competitor keyword analysis for free using tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest, and Semrush Free Tools. Additionally, analyze competitors’ websites manually or explore Google search results, including “People Also Ask” and related searches, to identify their target keywords.
How do you see if competitors are bidding on your keywords?
To assess competitor activity on your keywords, you can use the Auction Insights report under the “Keywords” menu in Google Ads. This will show your competitors’ impression shares, average position, overlap rate, position above rate, and top-of-page rate on a given keyword.
What is the significance of competitor keyword research?
Competitor keyword research is essential for gaining an edge in a crowded market, as it helps reveal the organic keywords that your competitors are using in their paid and organic search campaigns. This invaluable insight can be used to improve your own search strategies.
How can I identify my top competitors?
Identify your top competitors by conducting a Google search using relevant keywords and analyzing the results to identify those who rank highest.
Conclusion: Take Action to Outshine Your Competitors
Competitor keyword research isn’t just a strategy—it’s your gateway to staying ahead in the SEO game. By uncovering the keywords your competitors are ranking for and implementing the actionable tips we discussed, you can create content that not only matches but surpasses their efforts.
Remember, it’s not about copying what they do—it’s about learning, adapting, and excelling. Avoid common mistakes, enhance user experience, and leverage E-E-A-T to build a website that stands out. Whether you’re targeting long-tail keywords, optimizing for search intent, or creating a strong internal linking structure, every step you take brings you closer to dominating your niche.
Now’s the time to put these strategies into action. Start analyzing your competitors’ keywords today, and turn their strengths into opportunities for your success. With the right approach, you can attract more traffic, build authority, and leave your competitors far behind. The path to SEO success is yours—take the first step!
About Author
Nitin Dabas is your SEO guide. Expert in keywords, on-page SEO, and link-building, he has boosted rankings for countless clients. Read his blog and join his success stories.